Sustainable Living: Nurturing Our Planet, Empowering Our Future
In your warm embrace, we breathe the air,
The water of life is our succour,
The great lush, our sustenance,
The sun, the source of our energy,
In your embrace is the unquestionable love of a mother.
Humans have undergone different stages of evolution since the days of the gatherers. From the hunting days and now to the thinking man, it has been a journey of living defined by diverse lifestyles. To survive, humans have had to be curious and innovative to determine what to eat and discard.
However, amidst this journey, one question persists: How are we meant to live?
Individually and collectively, humans are a force to reckon with. A renowned philosopher, Socrates, said, “An examined life is not worth living”. Today, such scrutiny reveals a stark reality: our lifestyles are far from sustainable. According to the UNEP, our lifestyles are responsible for around 2/3 of all greenhouse gas emissions, and our food systems are responsible for around 80% of biodiversity loss. Hence, there has been called for a sustainable lifestyle.
According to the UNEP, sustainable Lifestyles are considered as ways of living, social behaviours and choices that minimize environmental degradation (use of natural resources, CO2 emissions, waste and pollution) while supporting equitable socio-economic development and better quality of life for all (UNEP, 2022)
The journey of sustainable living starts with self-reflection and awareness. Questions such as What is my lifestyle become pertinent. What are the activities I have been engaged in? How am I influencing my society and the environment?
From this self-reflective state is the need to seek knowledge. A famous saying is when you know better, you do better. From food waste to waste of energy, these activities have a known impact on the environment and society. At least one in five Africans goes to bed hungry, and an estimated 140 million people in Africa face acute food insecurity, according to the 2022 Global Report on Food Crises 2022 Mid-Year Update. In the face of such challenges, wasting food becomes irrational and ethically untenable.
Transitioning from awareness to action is the next crucial step. Individuals can take action such as preventing food waste, conserving energy, avoiding water wastage and others to promote environmentally and socially responsible behaviour.
However, sustaining these efforts requires commitment. It demands a deliberate lifestyle fueled by the aspiration for collective prosperity and a sustainable future.
Moreover, as we recognize the benefits of sustainable living, sharing this knowledge and fostering a community dedicated to responsible living is imperative. This is not a call for environmentalism but a plea for sustainability. Every individual and community hold a stake in the well-being of our planet and future generations. If our activities, individually or collectively, affect society and the environment, then we are responsible for rallying others and changing the narrative.
Living in harmony with nature entails actions that positively impact our world. War and consumerism are antithetical to this harmony. Despite a global population of over eight billion, we do not compete for oxygen; Mother Nature abundantly provides it. Yet, our actions can compromise the very air we breathe. Thus, initiatives to protect and improve air quality epitomize sustainable living.
Similarly, pursuing wealth should be tempered by a commitment to social responsibility. While we cannot compel affluence to solve all societal ills, we can advocate for fair treatment and equitable opportunities for all. Whether paying fair wages or supporting community initiatives, every act of kindness leaves a positive footprint.
Protecting our shared heritage, the mother earth, is a collective responsibility for us and the unborn generations. Our planet speaks a language of love: sustainable living. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated, “Sustainable lifestyle choices are the key. The choice to live sustainably must be made available to everyone, everywhere.”
